Bob Shamansky

Shamansky was born in 1927 in Columbus, the son of Sarah (Greenberg) and Harry Solomon Shamansky.[2] He was a 1947 graduate of Ohio State University and a 1950 graduate of Harvard Law School. He was subsequently admitted to the bar in 1950. He was also a Special Agent in the United States Army's Counter Intelligence Corps from 1950 until 1952.

In 1966, Shamansky ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, he lost to Republican incumbent Samuel L. Devine.

Fourteen years later, in 1980, Shamansky challenged Devine again. This time, he was successful in unseating the long-time incumbent Devine, becoming the first Democrat to represent the district since 1939. He was also the first Democrat to represent a significant portion of the state capital, Columbus, since 1967.

As a member of the 97th Congress, Shamansky served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Science and Technology Committee.

In 1982, after reapportionment, Shamansky's district absorbed a large chunk of the more Republican-leaning 17th District. He was defeated in his bid for re-election by future Governor of Ohio John Kasich.

In 2006, Shamansky ran for his old congressional seat. However, the 12th had been significantly redrawn since he'd last served in Congress, and he lost to Kasich's successor, Pat Tiberi, by 14 points.

On August 11, 2011, Shamansky died at his home in Columbus, Ohio. He was 84 years of age.[3][4] Shamansky shot himself at his Miranova residence on August 11 at the age of 84, an act that confounded his family and closest friends.[5]

• List of Jewish members of the United States Congress

• United States Congress. "Bob Shamansky (id: S000282)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Bob Shamansky at Find a Grave
• Appearances on C-SPAN